It was fascinating to see some of Tortorella’s ambivalence post-game. He isn’t sure what to do with his team after playing what he called its worst game of the season, and because of that he flip flopped.

Thursday was originally scheduled to be a day off for the Canucks, but on the board in the locker room, it said there would be an 11 a.m practice.

This would go against form for Torts, who has insisted this year he doesn’t alter his schedule based on results.

At some point, he will . He’s going to have to skate his team on one of their previously scheduled days of cush.

It just turns out, Thursday won’t be that day. Hey, there’s a big bowl game to get ready for.

“I was going to (call them in). I was. But I’m not going to.”

You have to give Tortorella credit here. His inclination may have been to (bag) skate these guys, but upon reflection he knows he can only dip into that well so many times over the course of a season, or seasons (he does have a five-year contract).

How many times will these players react positively to the whip?

How long before the whip wore out Tortorella’s New York Rangers?

It may have been one of the better examples this season of Tortorella altering his approach as a coach.

I know everyone wants to see hair-on-fire Tortorella, but it has a shelf life and maybe Tortorella has better learned pace over the course of a season.

Even during his timeout early in the first period Wednesday, called because he knew his team was screwed, was subdued.

It sure wasn’t the raging lunatic act which appeared to turn the game around against the Boston Bruins last month.

Thing is, that act can only work so many times. It’s probably not a good idea to waste one of those times against Tampa in January.

BEST CONSPIRACY

@botchford so, 10 games with no goals for Kesler, who wants to guess what injury he's hiding now?

But somehow Glen Gulutzan has managed to take a power play that wildly under-performed last year, and turn it into the biggest collection of underachievers this side of the Houston Texans.

It’s not so much the Canucks PP is 25th in the NHL, as it is Gulutzan’s refusal to do anything about it, except roll out Dan Hamhuis for every PP1 shift despite the reality he has two man-advantage points this season.

What can he do? Oh, I don’t know, anything that’s different from what he’s been trying for four months.

John Tortorella lathered Tom Sestito up with some pre-game praise but only did it after this beauty:

As I told Tommy, when I saw Tommy playing in Philly, he was playing like a clown. I thought he was an absolute idiot on the ice. He was not accomplishing anything.

Not hard to see why. In a February 2012 game against the Rangers, Sestito logged three fights, one in each period. The third fight got him tossed, leaving with 25 penalty minutes in just 3:48 of playing time.

Brandon Prust later accused Sestito of pulling his hair in that game, something the NHL looked into but chose no discipline.

Apparently, Sestito was pissed Brad Richards said his inclusion in a game was “fantasy camp” on HBO’s 24/7.

He hasn’t exactly played like a fantasy camp invitee for the Canucks. He’s actually played like a decent fourth liner, who gives the Canucks a physical presence.

Torts went on:

When I came here, I was concerned about what I had there. But I’ve watched him. I’ve watched him grow as a teammate, how he steps in when he needs to step in. He understands the game within the game. It was nice to see him score a goal the other night. I think the biggest thing for Tommy is that I think he got himself in better shape. I don’t think he was in great shape when he started the season. It’s a great lesson for him for next year.

BEST WTF

You’re better than this, J.O.N.

OK, maybe not.

BEST UPDATE

Ryan Kesler had no clue about about the story that Team USA accidentally texted a 67-year-old Canadian to tell him he made the Olympic team, using Kesler’s old number.

The Sun’s Elliott Pap asked him if he changed his number.

Kesler:

You had my number Elliott, so I had to change it. You were stalking me

Hey, at least he can joke after an embarrassing game like Wednesday’s. That’s progress.

BEST ‘IT’S ON ME’

Chris Higgins took full responsibility when Jeff Paterson grilled him post-game for that weak clearing attempt that led to the Lightning’s third goal just before the end of the second.

He’s having his best year as a Canuck, and his $2.5 million is one of the best values on the team. We’ll do as Tortorella suggested here and give him a break.

BEST LACK OF CLARITY

Ben Bishop was calling for icing and let up in the moment before Dale Weise set up Zac Dalpe for his first goal of the season. After the game, Tampa head coach Jon Cooper would only say he didn’t like the goal.

I didn’t see a good replay on it, so not sure what Bishop was thinking.

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